.........said RTS as Aerosmith's "Back in the Saddle" played loudly in the background.

 

I love that song!

But we're not just talking about being disrespectful here now are we? He didn't comply with the officer. It's really that simple. Try it yourself, I guarentee you end up in the back of a cruiser headed to jail.

You speak of accountability, we all must remember that the police aren't the only ones that have accountability. Quite simply, had Gates just complied instead of spewing racist rants, none of this would be a problem. It's always the cops fault, never the fool acting up. :idunno:

 

He didn't comply with what? He showed his identification. There was nothing illegal in the home. What reason did the officer have to be there after that? Insulting an officer isn't an arrestable offense.

 

And don't pawn this drivel about always blaming the police off on me. I respect police (I was raised by one) and would be among the first to defend them. But, I'm going to be critical when necessary.

He didn't comply with what? He showed his identification. There was nothing illegal in the home. What reason did the officer have to be there after that? Insulting an officer isn't an arrestable offense.

 

And don't pawn this drivel about always blaming the police off on me. I respect police (I was raised by one) and would be among the first to defend them. But, I'm going to be critical when necessary.

 

When he went outside his home, was causing a scene and failed to adhere to multiple warnings to go inside, he committed an arrestable offense.

When he went outside his home, was causing a scene and failed to adhere to multiple warnings to go inside, he committed an arrestable offense.

 

Which was what, complaining on his porch? That's illegal? It's obvious why the charges were dropped. I prefer to err on the side of Constitutional liberties rather than arbitrary police power. Gates shouldn't have been belligerent out of common decency and intelligence, but he shouldn't have been arrested.

Which was what, complaining on his porch? That's illegal? It's obvious why the charges were dropped. I prefer to err on the side of Constitutional liberties rather than arbitrary police power. Gates shouldn't have been belligerent out of common decency and intelligence, but he shouldn't have been arrested.

 

Actually it's called disorderly conduct. The cop was 100% within his rights to arrest Gates.

Which was what, complaining on his porch? That's illegal? It's obvious why the charges were dropped. I prefer to err on the side of Constitutional liberties rather than arbitrary police power. Gates shouldn't have been belligerent out of common decency and intelligence, but he shouldn't have been arrested.

 

Should we expect all law enforcement officers to be experts in constitutional law? Also, tis an easy task to perform the duties of a monday morning quarterback. An interception you'll never see.

Actually it's called disorderly conduct. The cop was 100% within his rights to arrest Gates.

 

I know he was arrested for disorderly conduct. I'm saying he shouldn't have been.

Should we expect all law enforcement officers to be experts in constitutional law?

 

As it pertains to their job, absolutely.

 

Also, tis an easy task to perform the duties of a monday morning quarterback. An interception you'll never see.

 

Fair enough, but this is true for everyone participating in the discussion about it.

As it pertains to their job, absolutely.

 

Our law enforcement officers have to make quick decisions and judgment calls under less than desirable circumstances all the time. If it is determined later by others that an arrest was not warranted then so be it. BUT, I don't think it is appropriate (usually) to malign police officers who, based on their judgment and training, are just doing what they feel is right.

Our law enforcement officers have to make quick decisions and judgment calls under less than desirable circumstances all the time. If it is determined later by others that an arrest was not warranted then so be it. BUT, I don't think it is appropriate (usually) to malign police officers who, based on their judgment and training, are just doing what they feel is right.

 

How am I maligning, denigrating or otherwise insulting police or Crowley? I've said the arrest was wrongful and defended civil liberties, nothing of the sort you've just accused me of.

I know he was arrested for disorderly conduct. I'm saying he shouldn't have been.

 

Yes he should have been. The arrest was as justified as any other disorderly conduct arrest is.

How am I maligning, denigrating or otherwise insulting police or Crowley? I've said the arrest was wrongful and defended civil liberties, nothing of the sort you've just accused me of.

 

Malign probably not. But based on the tapes and transcript, I don't see the arrest as wrongful. But, on the other hand, I think it's probably best that the charges were ultimately dropped as there was no ultimate harm done.

Yes he should have been. The arrest was as justified as any other disorderly conduct arrest is.

 

How are all disorderly conduct arrests justified? Why do we bother having a court system if that is the case? You are arguing for a totalitarian state here.

 

Malign probably not. But based on the tapes and transcript, I don't see the arrest as wrongful. But, on the other hand, I think it's probably best that the charges were ultimately dropped as there was no ultimate harm done.

 

Isn't that the point of the charge he was arrested for? Disorderly conduct wouldn't exist unless someone were harmed in some capacity by having their rights encroached upon.

How are all disorderly conduct arrests justified? Why do we bother having a court system if that is the case? You are arguing for a totalitarian state here.

 

 

That's no where close to what I'm saying. Don't try to put words in my mouth.

I know he was arrested for disorderly conduct. I'm saying he shouldn't have been.

If he wouldn't have been disorderly, he wouldn't have been. The guy got what he deserved, it was his fault, not the cops.